Liquid dispensing apparatus



DEC. 2, 1952 EI J, SVENSON 2,619,911

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Fi'led June l, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET l rarmf l LLaNs De- 2, 1952 E. J. sNENsoN 2,619,911

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1945 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 2, 1952 LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Ernest J. Svenson, Rockford, Ill.

Application June 1, 1943, Serial No. 489,277

Claims.

associated with and forming a part of the dispensing pumping means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved pump structure, including air and vapor release mechanisms, and supercharging means therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid dispensing apparatus of the meter pump type wherein air and liquid vapor is eliminated from the dispensing flow line in advance of the outlet side of the pump, whereby the pump operative movements are directly proportional to the liquid dispensing flow and may be utilized for the operation of register mechanisms, such as volume and cost registers and the like.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the `following speciflcation, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments are set forth for purposes of illustration.V I

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig; 1 is a general assembly view, partly in illustrative section, of a liquid dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. -2 is a diagrammatic, illustrative view, more particularly illustrating the manner of operation of the structure of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a schematic electric wiring diagram of the Fig. 1 structure;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view of the dispensing pump, on an enlarged scale, and taken as indicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 isa vertical, longitudinal, sectional view of the pump, and taken as indicated by the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. v6 is a. detail sectional view, on a further enlarged scale, of a portion of the pump structure;

Fig. '7 is a partial view illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention. and

(Cl. ID3- 126) Fig. 8 is a schematic electric wiring diagram of the structural embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7. Y

In the drawings, the invention has `been illus-` trated as embodied in a liquid dispensingv ap-` paratus of the type used for dispensing gasoline to automobiles for retail or wholesale sale, as the invention in certain of its aspects is particularly adapted for apparatus of this type. It is to be understood, however, that the invention "in various of its other aspects may be embodied in apparatus of other types, and for other purposes and uses.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application,` Serial No, 151,853, iiled'July 3, 1937, and entitled Computing Dis-4 pensing Device, and now abandoned.

Referring more specifically to the drawings', and rst to the embodiment illustrated in Figs; 1 to 6 inclusive. the apparatus shown comprises a housing I0 associated with an underground tank or supply reservoir II within which a supply of liquid I2 to be dispensed may be stored. gasoline in the particular embodiment shown. The gasoline may be introduced into the tank II by means of a suitable fill pipe I3.

A supply pipe I'4 leads from the tank I0', from a position adjacent the lower portion thereof, to a dispensing pump I5. In the particular embodiment illustrated this pump is of the intermeshing gear type,.the details of which will be more particularly described hereinafter. The

dispensing pump I5 draws the liquid to be dis-L pensed from the underground tank, and propels it outwardly through a dispensing line I6 lead# ing to a sight gauge Il, and a ilexible hose IB terminating in the usual dispensing nozzle I9 having a manually operable control valve 20. Check valves 2| and 22 are provided in the dis-V pensing line, on the outlet side of the pump and in the lower end of the supply pipe I4, for preventing reverse ilow of liquidthrough the line.

The dispensing pump I5 is driven from anelectric motor 25 by means of suitable mechan ical connections. vMore particularly, a shaft 26,`

Fig. 1, is driven by the motor which shaft has a bevel gear 21 adapted to meshwith a bevel VgearV 28. This bevel gear 28 drives the bevel gearing 29 for operating the pump l5. It w111 be seen' that thepump is thus operated'wheneveithe motor 25 is in motion.

In the embodiment illustrated the motor 25 is under the conjoint control of a pair of switchesl 3|) and 3|. 'I'he switch' is adapted to be closed by means of the lowering of a rod 32 upon'the raising of the support hook 33 for the dispensing nozzle. The switch 3| is adapted to be closed by a pressure control unit 34 subjected to the liquid pressure within the dispensing line I5 by means of a connecting pipe 35. The arrangement is such that when pressure builds up a predetermined amount inthe dispensing line I6, the pressure control diaphragm or device 34, which may be of any suitable construction, is actuated to open control switch 3|; whereas when the pressure in the dispensing line I6 drops below a predetermined minimum, the pressure control device 34 is operated to close switch 3|. As indicated in Fig. 3, the two switches 35 and 3| are in series in the electric control circuit 35, the arrangement ybeing such that when both switches are closed the circuit between the lines Li-Lz is closed and the motor 25 is energized.

In operation, the switch 3|) will be closed at the beginning of the dispensing operation, as soon as the nozzle I9 is removed from the nozzle support 33, and the support raised. At this time the switch 3| is maintained open because of the pressure in the dispensing line I5 from the previous dispensing operation. However, when the nozzle valve is'opened and the pressure drops, switch 3| is closed by the pressure control device 34, and' both switches 3| and 3E) now being closed, motor is energized to operate the pump I5 and effect the dispensing of the gasoline. Upon closing of the nozzle valve 23, pressure Within the line I6 builds up, causing control device 34 to open the switch 3| and stop the motor 25. When the dispensing nozzle is restored to the support 33, and the support lowered, switch is also opened, restoring the parts to their original condition. The details of the switch control form no part of the present invention, and any suitable control mechanisms may be used.

Referring further to Fig. l. whenever the motor 25 is in operation, an upwardly directed shaft is driven thereby.Y This shaft is adapted by means of gearing 4I, d2 and 43 to drive a volume register 54, whereby to indicate the volume of the gasoline dispensed. Shaft 43 also drives a change speed gearing or variator mechanism 45 which isin turn arranged by means of bevel gearing 46 to'drive a cost register 41, whereby to indicate the cost of the gasoline dispensed at any selected unit price to which the variator 45 may be set, the variator having a unit price indicating mechanism as shown at 45. The details of the register and variator mechanisms also form no part of the present invention, and any suitable registers and variators may be used.

Referring further to Fig. 1, and to the diagrammatic View, Fig. 2, it will be seen that the motor driven shaft 25 is also adapted, by means of gearing 53, to drive an auxiliary pump 5I, which may be a simple form of intermeshing gear pump in the particular embodiment illustrated. The pump 5| is adapted to draw its gasoline from the supply pipe I4 through a pipe 52, and propel it by means of an outlet pipe 53 into an air separator unit 54. This air separator unit may be of known type, and provided at its upper end with a restricted air and vapor escape orifice 55 discharging into a pipe 55. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, air and liquid vapor is separated from the liquid gasoline in the separator 54, the air and vapor being permitted to escape through the restricted orifice 55 intothe pipe 55. Air and vapor-free liquid is Idelivered from the separator 54 through an outlet pipe 51 leading from the bottom portion thereof. The auxiliary pump 5I is provided with an adjustable by-pass valve 58, arranged to open at a predetermined adjustable set pressure.

The pipe 5'I is adapted to deliver air and vaporfree gasoline to a pair of pipes and 5I leading tothe main dispensing pump I5, in a manner and for a purpose presently to be described. A pair of pipes 62 and 53 lead outwardly from the pump, and as will presently be described, are adapted to receive air and liquid vapor therefrom. These pipes B2 and E3'join, their combined delivery being transmitted to a pipe 64 connected to the outlet pipe 55 from the separator 54. The combined discharge of the pipes 54 and 55 is delivered by means of a pipe 65 to a recovery ch'amber 3E. This recovery chamber has an air pipe 6l leadingvto atmosphere and a liquid return pipe 68 leading back to the supply line I4. As will be understood, the recovery chamber is adapted to recover to the system any liquid delivered from the pipes 56 and 34, as well as condensed vapor. More specifically, the recovery cham-ber is provided 'with a float 59 controlling a valve diagrammatically indicated at 10. When a predetermined amount of liquid has accumulated within the recovery chamber, the float is raised opening the valve and permitting the return of liquid to the supply line I4 by means of the pipe 5B. Air and any uncondensed vapor pass to atmosphere through the pipe 6l.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the main dispensing pump I5 includes a pair of intermeshing gears 'I5 and 'I5 adapted, on rotation in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 4, to deliver or pump fluid from thefsupply pipe I4 to the outlet pipe I 6. The gear 'I5 is press-ntted onto a sleeve l1, which sleeve rotates as a unit with the gear during operation of the pump structure. This sleeve is provided with an extension 'I8 in the form vof a shaft adapted to be driven from the bevel gearing 23,- Fig. 1. A packing nut I3 and packing 8i] precludes leakage of pumped fluid along the shaft 18. A pair of ball bearings 8| and 82 are provided for rotatably journalling the sleeve TI for rotation Within the casing of the pump.

Similarly the gear 'I3 rotates as a unit with and is press-tted upon asleeve 83 journalled for rotation Within the pump casing by means of anti-friction ball bearings 84 and 85'.

Press-fitted into one of the sidewalls I5a of the pump casing 'is a iixedl shaft or pin 88, the sleeve 'I'I being mounted for rotation about this shaft. Shaft or pin 88 is provided with a longitudinal channel 89 communicating with the pipe E3, which channel terminates in a radial channel or passage 90, projecting radially upwardly from the channel 89 in the particular embodiment illustrated. The gear 'I5 and sleeve 'Il are provided with a plurality of cooperating radially extending channels 9|, there being one such channel 9i extending radially inwardly from the space between each pair `of teeth of the gear '|5. As will be best understood by reference to Fig. 6, once during each revolution of the gear, when each channel 9i is uppermost, itis brought into alinement with the Xed channel 95. As best indicated in Figs. 5y and 6, the tooth` surfaces adjacent the outer end of each. channel 9| are tapered both laterally and longitudinally of the gear, as indicated at 32, so as to provide in effect a cone-shaped portion at the bottomV of each 'interdental space 33 of the gear, leadingV to the channel 9|. The pump casing I5 is provided with a port or channel 9d communicating with the pipe 6l, and adapted to communicate also rthe fixed shaft 88.

In operation, as the gear 15 is rotated centrifugal force eifects a separation, for example as indicated in the interdental space 93a of Fig. 6, between the liquid as indicated at 95 and any air or liquid vapo-r as indicated at 96, the heaviei' liquid being thrown and maintained radially outwardly of the interdental space. When such interdental space reaches the position as indicated at 93 in Fig. 6 it is supercharged with air and vapor-free liquid from the pipe 6|, any accumulated air and liquid vapor in theinner portion of the interdental space or pocket being simultaneously and forcibly exhausted through the ports 9|, 90 and 89 to the exhaust pipe 63. Accordingly when the interdental space reaches the position as indicated at 93h in Fig. 6 it is completely filled with air and vapor-free liquid, the movements of the pump thus being directly proportional to the quantity of vapor-free liquid delivered to the dispensing line I6.

Similar means is provided for ejecting air and liquid vapor from the interdental spaces of the gear 16, such means comprising a port in the pump casing communicating with the pipe 60, a series of radial ports |0| in the gear 'I6 and sleeve 83 communicating, respectively, with the gear interdental spaces, and radial and axial ports |02 and |03 provided in a fixed pin or shaft |04 press-fitted into the casing plate ld, as in the case of the fixed pin 80. The port |03 communicates with the outlet pipe 62 previously described.

It is to be understood that the air and vapor eliminating and supercharging stations may be located at various desired positions circumferentially of the gears between the inlet I4 and the outlet I6. For example, such stations might be located for communication with the interdental spaces as indicated at 93d or 93e in Fig. 4. Also, if desired, a plurality of elimination and supercharging stations located in sequential circumferential arrangement could be used for example as indicated at 93d, 93 and 93e in Fig. 4, the interdental spaces thus being subjected to three successive elimination and supercharging operations.

The operation of the structure in its entirety is believed to be clear from what has heretofore been stated. When the nozzle i9 is removed from the support or hook 33, and the hook raised, the motor 25 will be set in operation in accordance with the opening or closing of the nozzle valve 2|),v

through the intermediary of a pressure control device 34. Whenever the motor is in operation both dispensing pump |5 and auxiliary pump 5| are operated, and the movements of the motor are transmitted to the register indicators 41| and 41. Operation of pump I5 propels the dispensed liquid through the dispensing line, whereas operation of pump 5| effects the supercharging of the interdental spaces of the dispensing pump to insure accuracy of measurement of the pump and elimination of air and liquid vapor from the dispensed liquid. The separator 54 insures that only air and vapor-free liquid will be used for supercharging. Exhaust air, vapor, and any liquid from the exhaust pipe 55 leading from the separator 54, and from the exhaust pipes 62 and 63 leading from the pump I5 are directed to the recovery chamber B6 wherein the liquid and condensed vapor are recovered to the system. The capacity of the auxiliary pump 5| will be set above requirements, the excess being by-passed by means of the adjustable by-pass relief valve 58. insures maintenance of pressure within the lines 53, 51, and 6|, at all times while the pump 5| is in operation.

In Figs. 7 and 8 an embodiment is illustrated wherein the auxiliary pump 5|a is set in operation as soon as the nozzle is removed from its support hook, and the support hook raised, prior to the opening of the nozzle valve and the operation of the main dispensing pump |5a. More specifically, in this instance the electric motor 25a drives only the dispensing pump |5a by means of gearing as indicated at ||0, whereas a separate driving motor is provided for driving the auxiliary pump 5|a. The circuit arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 8. It will be seen that the motor I ll is energized immediately upon the closing of switch 30a associated with the nozzle hook control rod 32a, whereas the motor 25a: is under the conjoint control ofswitch 30a and the switch 3|a controlled by pressure conditions within the dispensing line. The motor` 25a is energized only when both switches 30a and 3|a are closed. It will thus be seen that the auxiliary pump 5 a will be set into operation as soon as the nozzle support hook is raised and will be maintained in operation at all times while the hook is raised, whereas the motor 25a will be operated only in accordance with the dispensing requirements of the system. In this instance, as in the previous embodiment, a register drive shaft 40a will be operated by the motor 25a which drives the dispensing pump.

It is obvious that Various changes may be made in the specific embodiments illustrated without.

departing from the spirit of the invention. 'I'he invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specic embodiments shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a dispensing pump for propelling liquid through said line, said pump having an inlet and an outlet and a shiftable positive displacement mechanism for propelling liquid :along a predetermined path of travel from the inlet to the outlet and for eiecting a separation of air and vapor from the liquid, an auxiliary pump, means connecting the auxiliary pump and the main dispensing pump for supercharging the positive displacement mechanism of the main dispensing pump with liquid from the auxiliary pump, air and vapor separating means associated with the auxiliary pump for removing air and vapor from the liquid pumped thereby, means for ejecting air and vapor from the displacement mechanism of the main dispensing pump during operation thereof, and recovery means for recovering condensed vapor ejected from the main dispensing pump and returning the condensate therefrom and from the auxiliary pump separator to the system.

2. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a gear pump for propelling liquid through said line, said pump having an inlet and an outlet and a series of interdental spaces forming a shiftable positive displacement mechanism for propelling liquid along a predetermined arcuate path of travel from the inlet to the outlet and for effecting a separation of air and vapor from the liquid by centrifugal force, and means The restricted character of the oriiice 55v comprising substantially oppositely disposed inner and outer conduits communicating radially inwardly and radially outwardly with said interdental spaces along their path of travel between the inlet and the outlet, means for introducing supercharging liquid to said outer conduit for ejecting air and vapor from the interdental spaces, and vent means communicating with said inner conduit for the escape of the discharged air and vapor whereby to provide delivery of vapor and air-free liquid in direct proportion to the volumetric operation of the displacement mechanism.

3. In a liquid dispensing and metering apparatus, a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of relatively highly volatile liquid such as gasoline, rotary liquid pumping and metering mechanism disposed in said line for propelling such relatively highly volatile liquid through said line, said pumping and metering mechanism including an inlet and an outlet, a series of chambers of known volumetric capacity adapted to receive said liquid from said inlet, means for moving said chambers from said inlet to said outlet through a predetermined path having a curved portion to create a force on liquid contained in said chambers to separate air and liquid vapor from said liquid, vent means adjacentr the inner periphery of said curved portion and successively communicable with said chambers during their movement therealong, superchanging means disposed outwardly of the point of communication of the vent means with said chambers and successively communicable with said chambers for introducing superchanging liquid under pressure greater than the fluid pressure in said chambers whereby to discharge the separated air and vapor from said chambers into said vent means, and receiving means in communication with said vent means and under less fluid pressure than that in said chambers for re- 8 ceiving the discharged air and vapor whereby the volume of liquid discharged by the apparatus is substantially equal to the volumetric displacement of said chambers.

4. In a liquid dispensing and metering apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pumping and metering mechanism includes an arcuate passageway connecting the inlet and outlet and rotatable positive displacement mechanism for propelling liquid from said inlet through said arcuate passage to said outlet.

5. In a liquid dispensing and metering apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pumping and metering mechanism includes an arcuate passageway connecting the inlet and outlet and a rotable gear having interdental spaces for propelling the liquid through said passageway.

ERNEST J. SVENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 590,173 Thorens Sept. 14, 1897 693,479 Worthington Feb. 18, 1902 725,949 Fogg Apr. 21, 1903 1,023,583 Morgan Apr. 16, 1912 1,252,160 Pagel Jan. 1, 1918 1,449,443 Potter et al. Mar. 27, 1923 1,799,237 Jensen Apr. 7, 1931 1,837,446 Kauffman Dec. 22, 1931 2,049,405 Brake July 28, 1936 2,188,848 Svenson Jan. 30, 1940 2,281,767 Heckert May 5, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 157,744 Switzerland Dec. 16, 1932 564,152 Germany Nov. 14, 1932 

